What is Diabetes? Diabetes Symptoms, Types of Diabetes Guide
Learn about diabetes symptoms, types, causes, blood sugar levels, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention to manage diabetes effectively
Many people feel tired after a normal day, thirst more than usual, and frequently rush to the bathroom. We think that these are minor inconveniences, but these are signs of diabetes to be aware of and check your health for.
Sugar is the most highlighted aspect of our lifestyle. People mostly assume that diabetes is all about eating a larger amount of sugar in their daily routine, but there is more to it. In India, there are 1.48 billion people, of whom around 101 million people are living with diabetes. We are at the second-highest number in the world. Yet many people remain undiagnosed, resulting in damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves with time.
If you want to know about diabetes to protect you and your family from what it is to what to do, this is the best guide for you.
What is diabetes mellitus?
Normally, when we eat food, the sugar in the food gets converted into glucose, and the level increases in the bloodstream. This gives a signal to the pancreas to release the insulin hormone, which helps body cells to use the glucose for energy.
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition in which there is an elevated level of blood glucose due to abnormal insulin levels and function. An increase in the level of blood sugar is considered hyperglycaemia. Here, insulin is absent, in insufficient amounts, or ineffective in controlling blood sugar levels.
What are the types of diabetes?
Mainly, your diabetes can be divided into the following types:
1. Type 1 diabetes
2. Type 2 diabetes
3. Gestational diabetes
4. Prediabetic stage
| Type | Type 1 Diabetes | Type 2 Diabetes | Gestational Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause and Mechanism | Autoimmune disease – destruction of the beta cells of the pancreas | Resistant to insulin – the body's cells are unable to respond properly to insulin The pancreas releases it more in response | High levels of blood glucose during pregnancy due to hormone level changes can cause resistance or reduced insulin production |
| Age effected | Mostly children and young adults | Mostly adult and obese children, the risk increases with age | During pregnancy |
| Symptoms specific to type | Nausea Vomiting Stomach ache | Wound healing becomes slow Dark patch on the body Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet | No or minimal symptoms |
| Risk factor | Family history of diabetes Age – children or young adults | Family history Age more than 45 years Prediabetic Overweight Less physical activity Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease | Family history Polycystic ovarian syndrome Overweight of the mother or child
|
Common symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes:
- Increase thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Vision blurred
- Increase urinary tract infection
Prediabetic
This stage is between normal and diabetic sugar levels – more than normal but less than what is considered diabetic.
It is a stage of warning signs; if detected at this stage, preventive measures can help to manage the progression of the disease.
Blood sugar levels
| Status | Fasting Blood Sugar | Post-meal (2 hrs) |
| Normal | 70–99 mg/dL | Below 140 mg/dL |
| Prediabetic | 100–125 mg/dL | 140–199 mg/dL |
| Diabetic | 126 mg/dL or above | 200 mg/dL or above |
Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) is diagnosed when fasting levels exceed 130 mg/dL or post-meal levels exceed 180 mg/dL.
How to diagnose diabetes?
A clinician may use 3 different types of blood tests to order a diagnosis for diabetes:
- Fasting plasma glucose,
- An Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)- > 200 mg/dL diabetic
- Haemoglobin A1c (measuring average blood sugar level over the months) >6.5% diabetic
Pre-diabetes is diagnosed and signified as a test result that falls above the normal range of results and below the threshold for diabetes, and this usually means a patient has an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Impaired fasting glucose FPG 110-125 mg/dl
- Impaired glucose tolerance: 140-199 mg/dL
- HbA1c level 5.7-6.4%
How to Reduce Blood Sugar Level Immediately?
At home, checking blood sugar sometimes creates a panic situation if it is suggested to be high. At that time, immediate measures can be taken to control the situation until medical help arrives and prevent a medical emergency.
- Drink enough water.
- Walk or exercise to keep your body moving
- Avoid sugar intake
- Medication prescribed by the doctor
Warning sign: if blood sugar level remains above 250 mg/dL or vomiting and confusion occur, call for medical assistance on an early basis.
What are the treatment options for diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes treatment:
As it is an autoimmune disease, there is no definitive cure for this
Regular insulin therapy is necessary.
Continuous glucose monitoring is required, which helps to prevent the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis. Also, research is going on for treatment with the help of beta cell transplants and artificial pancreases.
Essentially, all of these pillars support the management of diabetes:
- Using insulin therapy (basal-bolus or pump)
- Utilising continuous glucose monitoring or self-monitoring of your blood glucose levels
- Becoming aware of carbohydrates, preparing meals
- Obtaining an A1c level every 3 months
Type 2 diabetes treatment:
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, but it is very manageable and, in some cases, reversible. In the DiRECT trial, we see that a sustained weight loss of at least 15 kilograms could lead to remission – without medication – for eligible individuals.
Progression of Treatment:
- First attempt to change one's living habits (i.e., develop a balanced diet, get at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, and attain ideal body weight)
- Metformin will be used for the first-line oral medication; it improves sensitivity to insulin
- There will be use of additional medications (i.e., GLP-1 receptor agonists to reduce weight, SGLT-2 inhibitors, or sulfonylureas) when necessary
- Insulin is to be used when no adequate management of blood glucose occurs
- There will be management of blood pressure and elevation in cholesterol to decrease risk factors of cardiovascular disease.
Monitoring: HbA1c every 3–6 months; SMBG frequency based on treatment intensity
Gestational Diabetes treatment:
- It is managed by changing diet and increasing physical activity.
- Use insulin if blood sugar levels do not meet the target goal.
- Closer monitoring throughout pregnancy.
- Since women who have gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, you should be screened for this condition after the birth of the baby.
Preventive measures for diabetes
Most cases of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. Structured lifestyle interventions for individuals at high risk of developing diabetes (prediabetic individuals) can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 50% or more.
- Weight management: losing 5–7% of body weight significantly lowers risk
- Physical activity: ≥ 150 min/week of moderate aerobic exercise (walking, cycling, swimming)
- Diet quality: high fibre, whole grains, legumes; limit refined carbs and sugary drinks
- Smoking cessation: Tobacco raises insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk
- Routine screening: Annual fasting glucose or HbA1c if aged >35, overweight, or with family history
Having diabetes as a lifelong disorder should not restrict you from enjoying a good quality of life. Making simple changes to your daily routine has been shown to improve your overall health over time. By being informed and proactive from the start, you will be improving your chances of avoiding complications and providing a better future for you and those you love.
For more such disease insights, visit Docthub.
Source :
- World Health Organization. (2024). Diabetes — Key Facts.
- Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Symptoms of Diabetes.
- American Diabetes Association. (2026). Standards of Care in Diabetes — 2026. Diabetes Care, Supplement
- American Diabetes Association. (2024). About Diabetes.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. (2024). World Diabetes Day 2024.
- WHO SEARO. India Diabetes Management Protocol.
FAQs
Q.1 What is diabetes mellitus?
A. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition in which there is an elevated level of blood glucose due to abnormal insulin levels and function. An increase in the level of blood sugar is considered hyperglycaemia.
Q.2 How to control diabetes?
A. Diabetes management includes a combination of healthy eating, regular physical activity, medication (if prescribed), blood sugar monitoring, and regular medical check-ups. For Type 2 diabetes, significant lifestyle changes can sometimes reduce the need for medication.
Q.3 What is Type 2 diabetes?
A.Type 2 diabetes is the most common type, in which the body's cells become resistant to insulin, which leads to an increased amount of insulin production by the pancreas, resulting in a high blood glucose level.
Q.4 What is insulin?
A. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which helps body cells to consume glucose from the bloodstream. Glucose is converted into an energy form and maintains the blood glucose level.
Q.5 Can diabetes be cured?
A.Type 1 diabetes does not have a definitive cure. Type 2 diabetes can be managed with the help of lifestyle modification and medication
